What's in my: Holiday Makeup Bag!

Hello! The time has come and i'm finally jetting off on holiday tomorrow! I'm not flying until 11.30pm at night and i know the whole day will absolutely drag. But, i can't wait to just get away from everything for one week and relax in the sun (and do lots of shopping of course).

Makeup wise, i don't really wear it that much on my holiday! Only at nights and i end up giving up by the end of the week hahaa. It probably looks like i'm taking quite a lot of stuff but, my skin colour changes so much - i tan so easily. So at the start of the holiday i'll be pretty pale (on my face) and by the end it'll be like 5 shades darker. So a variety of shades is needed because a ghost face just isn't attractive!

All my makeup is stored in this cute little MAC makeup case from the Hello Kitty collection.

I'm trying to keep brushes to a minimal. My Real Techniques Buffing Brush is perfect for everything base wise - foundation, powder, concealer. And the Contour Brush works for bronzer and blusher and even highlighter. For eyeshadow i just have the basics an eyeshadow brush and pencil brush both from MAC, a Muji Angled Brush and a Sigma Tapered Blending brush.

For foundation i am taking three in sample size containers as i won't need a full bottle of foundation and this way i can take a few different ones. I have my Stila Tinted Moisturiser in Medium 03 which is my 'now colour', MAC MatchMaster foundation in Shade 6.0 as it's slightly to dark for my 'in-between colour' and Revlon Colorstay foundation in 330 Natural Tan as my darkest colour. I'm taking two shades of concealer - my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in Medium for my paler nights and MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 which is was too dark and only looks right when i'm tanned. Benefit's Hello Flawess powder in Hazelnut which is also slightly too dark. And two MUA bronzers, the new Bronzed Perfection and the original bronzer in Shade 2.

Just in case i'm in the mood for eyeshadow i'm taking my MAC 15 Palette and my MAC 'Groundwork' Paint Pot as a base! Being multi functional i'm taking my Avon Black & Brown Kajal Stick so i can choose whichever eyeliner colour i like and the brown side is perfect for my brows. The Une Skin-glow Pencil in 2.0 really brightens up the eyes and can be used as highlighter. And last but not least, a must for me, mascara. I'm taking my N.Y.C Waterproof Mascara so i can wear it in the daytime if i want but at least at night the staying power will be even better.

I've tried to keep lipsticks to a minimum (which was very, very hard!) but, i can't be bothered with topping up on holiday! So i chose my two favourite lip colours NYX 'Tea Rose' and MAC's 'Twig'. Then two colourful lipsticks which are nice, hydrating and easy to wear - Revlon Lip Butter in 'Tutti Frutti' and a MAC Lip balm in 'Popster' Hello Kitty collection 

So, this is all i'm taking, i don't think i need anymore to be honest. I think i've done pretty well with my multi-tasking, versatile products. But who knows, i might chuck some more in my hand luggage or treat myself out there ;)

Do you guys think i've done a good job at keeping things to a minimum? What are your holiday makeup essentials?! 

April Favourites!

I always struggle with my monthly favourites as i tend to stick to the same things but, here are the things i have been lurrrving this month - basically products i used every single day (well almost ;))...

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium Dark'- Perfect for tops ups throughout the day - keeps me shine free and doesn't look cakey atall! I can layer this up so much and not look like i have any powder on!
MUA Bronzer 'Shade 1' - I love this for everyday - it does have shimmer in it, but the shimmer is tiny and finely milled so it just gives me a healthy, bronzed glow. For the price i can't complain and will definitely be buying this again! So glad i re-discovered it this month and it's not still sat in my unused box!
Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush - I use this with the MAC powder to dust all over my face - quick, effective and sooo soft (i could just stroke it across my cheek all day). I take this (and the powder) out with me everywhere i go!
MAC Angled Contour Brush (from a christmas collection) - Love this for applying blusher, it is the perfect size and i love the angled shape to apply it along my cheek bones for a contoured look.

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in 'Dark Brown' - I actually picked up the wrong colour, i usually use 'Black Brown'. But i think prefer this colour for everyday use! It just stops me from going overboard and overdoing my brows as i know it will look ridiculous if i do. The colour blends great with my brows hairs to make them look more prominent - but if try and make my brows thicker and go outside the hairs the colour difference is very obvious! So i'm going to carry on using this daily as i just think it looks great with my skin colour and less harsh for daytime!
MAC Eyeshadows 'Silverwear' and 'Blue Spruce' (christmas collection) - I love Silverwear (left) for the inner corners of my eyes - it makes me look wide awake and bright eyed! It looks like a weird, bluey colour but it's actually perfect with slightly duo-chrome, frost finish which is nice. I reach for this everyday!

MAC Lipstick in 'Twig' - This is my 'my lips but better' colour. It's matte and is a pinkier version of my natural lip colour. I love it and have found myself reaching for this most days as it lasts forever!  Perfect for dramatic eye looks and natural, everyday looks! But i never hear anyone talk about this :(

Avon Techniques Mirror Shine Spray - I have bought the shine spray from Avon for years, it makes my hair look super shiny and luscious - not greasy - and makes it feel really soft too which is a bonus! I spray this over the bottom half of my hair once it is styled. It's great if you wear extensions too, makes them look really shiny and healthy.

I have a 'face of the day' or everyday makeup look coming soon using some of these products :) So keep a look out.. 

January Favourites.

Vivo lipstick,  Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, Avon mineral powder, Avon Blusher,  Avon double-ended eyeliner, Paint brush, Sigma flat top kabuki.

Clockwise: Vivo lipstick, Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, Avon Blusher, Avon mineral powder.


Some staples in my makeup bag this month! Through January i've used these products day and night all highly pigmented, long-lasting and quick and easy to use.
Swatches:

Top - Bottom: Avon blusher, Brown end of the eyeliner, Black end of the eyeliner, Avon Mineral Powder, Vivo lipstick and Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation.

Avon true colour blusher 'Russet' - Featured here in a previous post. At first i wasn't too sure about this blusher, i thought it was difficult to blend and too pigmented but with a change of brush this blusher is perfect for a natural flush of colour and sculpted cheekbones. I use this with a MAC angled brush that i got in a christmas collection (similar to the 168) and apply it on the apples on my cheeks and up to my temples (following my contour) = cheekbones of a model - almost!

Avon double ended kajal stick 'Black and Brown' - Two colours in one, perfect for all occasions! This is so easy to shove in my bag and apply on the go. It's handy to take out and change your look from day (brown) to night (black) if you haven't got time. Its a little too 'soft' and smudges if used for a 'cat eye' so i only use this on my waterline or if your in a hurry i draw this on my crease and outer v then blend with a brush = perfect smokey eye in a hurry!

Avon powder - I think this has been discounted (boo). It's just a powder i purchased that is WAY too dark which makes it perfect for contouring and slimming my face down - soft, highly-pigmented and easy to blend.

Vivo lipstick 'Nougat' - A neutral lipstick that is creamy and has good pigmentation. Even better, it's £2 from Tesco. Cheap and cheerful. Good enough for a day at college, looks natural but gives my lips a nice pop of colour.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - Don't think i need to say much about this product! Amazing high coverage foundation for oily skin. It's easy to blend and lasts all day - what more can you ask for? (full review to come).

Sigma Flat Top Kabuki - Christmas present that i haven't stopped using ever since - amazing for foundation, quick, easy and gives a seamless application (full post to come)

Royal paint brush - Bought from 'The range' a shop that can be found all around England. I saw this brush and thought 'ooh this will be perfect for blusher', it was so soft and the perfect size so i bought it and forget about it for ageeees. Several months and a wash later it is being adored for contouring my cheek bones - the PERFECT precise size! Amazing and cheap. GO BUY SOME PAINTBRUSHES!

 Nadia xox

Everyday Makeup Routine!

When your up at the crack of dawn and you need to be ready for education or work in half an hour, the last thing you want is to have to spend ages on your makeup. I think every girl should have a fast routine that she can rely on. This is mine:

Nothing fancy - just a simple daytime look that i can do in 5-10minutes at home or on the bus! 

I took these pictures after i had been out from 8am - 3pm so i'd had this makeup on for a good seven hours and i'm happy with how it's stayed with no top-ups (i didn't even have to powder my t-zone which usually ends up an oily mess) 

 This is a fairly new routine which i rely on most mornings when i need to be ready in a short time for college. It includes a new love which i'm going to go purchase!

My new love, is the well praised foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place foundation. 

I've used it three times since i got the sample and still have some left. I've wore it twice for college (longggg days) and once for a party. Every time i have used it, i have been impressed with the staying power, the oil control and the coverage is amazing too. Beats my other foundations anytime.  I plan to do a full review when i buy the full bottle.   What are anyone else's views of Estee Lauder's double wear?

So anyway, i cleanse and tone my face with Lush's Dark Angel cleanser and Breath of Fresh Air toner. 

Then moisturise with Nivea's Soft Creme (tub). I definitely remember Nivea creams - i've used them all my life through summer and winter. Affordable and effective. 

I then apply either MAC pro-long wear foundation in NC42 or my new favourite Estee Lauder Double Wear in 4W1 Shell Beige. I put 'blobs' around my face with my fingers then blend with Sigma's Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki brush. 

I conceal my under eye circles and redness around my nose with MAC Studio Fix concealer in NW35 with my fingers then blend in some area's with Sigma's Precision Round brush (good for getting in all the little 'nooks and crannies')

Next i set the foundation and concealer  with MAC Blot Powder Pressed over my t-zone (especially my nose) i then dust MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark all over.

I then contour with a paintbrush actually (it is the perfect size) and MAC's Studio Fix powder in NC45. 

My go-to blush is MAC's Fleur Power - can be built up to a bright doll pink or applied lightly for a natural flush of colour. 

Then another new favourite is my Illamasqua's Powdered Metal in Ezrule to highlight my cheekbones and nose.

Last but not least, lashings of Avon Supershock mascara for long lashes. 

Sounds longer and more than it actually is, but this is my simple daytime routine. Sometimes i swap products like blush or mascara etc. But this my basic routine that i tend to stick to for the daytime. 

Wow, so i hope this may have helped you! I definitely recommend all the products i have mentioned. They are all effective and work well or i wouldn't use them myself.

Nadia xox